1985.
It was my last year in Germany.
I know now, of course, that my knowledge of music at the time was severely limited. But back then, that's just the way it was.
We had one American TV station - the AAFES channel. I wasn't allowed to listen to the radio. The only music I had, in fact, were the Dolly Parton tapes my grandma sent me from the states.
My brother had records in his room, and when he was gone I would sneak in there and listen to them. Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, KISS, REO Speedwagon, Prince...I had no idea who any of these people were, but I liked them.
Well, I liked what little I could listen to, in the very short period of time I was home alone every day.
Then, USA for Africa released the "We Are The World" single and video.
Surprisingly enough, I was permitted to own a copy of the cassette, AND watch the video.
My parents played the video for me over and over, telling me who the different people were, acting surprised when I had no idea.
Really?
Anyway, I love this song. I can identify all the voices now. And, best of all, the song raised $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US.
That was an amazing charitable effort, and such a great thing those musicians did.
ReplyDeleteMust have been interesting being so unexposed to popular music. My mum and dad were always big into music, and played a lot of it as I grew up.
My parents were into music, too, but NOT popular music, LOL. It was a major culture shock coming back to the States...Major. :)
DeleteHa I'd be lucky if I can identify one, but good song indeed, First time I heard that one i think.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat,
DeleteNot even Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Springsteen, Dylan? Of course now I know them by heart, but yeah, I guess I can see not knowing them if you didn't study them like I did LOL...
We had BandAid (Do they know it's Christmas) over here. It too is indelibly enmeshed in my memories - although for me it is not so much childhood, but of growing into adulthood (a process which I think still continues...). Never having a television, I was totally amazed seeing these famous voices in their bodies. They sort of looked so normal... ok some of them dressed weirdly, but they looked like real human beings!!! :)))
ReplyDeleteHarry Belafonte, who coordinated USA for Africa, was inspired by Band Aid to do something similar in the US. Bob Geldof is apparently in the video but I have to watch it to see where...
DeleteOh my gosh I haven't heard this sing in FOREVER!! This brought back memories for me. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way when I hear it, just a lot of memories :)
DeleteI bought a T-shirt that I wore until it shredded.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there were T-shirts!
DeleteI think I still have my cassette, somewhere...
It's been a long time since I've heard that track. Thanks for the fond memories! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
DeleteGermany, huh? You know, I think if we knew who these big label artists were deep down, we'd stop supporting 80% of them.
ReplyDeleteOh, reading the 'making of' story, there were a very few who did behave kind of badly...but most were wonderful.
DeleteBUT--(finishing my comment...) I love this video, and oh my goodness! Celebrities +!
ReplyDeleteI love it, too...they look so happy, like they know they're part of something special.
Delete